Need to vent - used tractor dealer

   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #21  
If you do not feel comfortable with the deal because you feel a breach of thrust between you and him, how would you feel dealing with him on maintenance or repair issues later on. If you can live with that, then fine but for me, the initial buy and post sale support are as equally important. I would rather pay a little more money to deal with someone with integrity and feel good about the transaction.

Gyro
 
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #22  
If he lied to you once, he could do it again.

I would walk and keep shopping.

And that's from a tractor dealer
 
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #24  
What happened?

The dealer raised the price $500 after the guy paid someone like over $200 for an independent check up of the tractor and it passed in flying colors the best I remember but it is all back on page one.
 
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #25  
The dealer raised the price $500 after the guy paid someone like over $200 for an independent check up of the tractor and it passed in flying colors the best I remember but it is all back on page one.

I think Joel was looking for an update - I too am curious how it turned out
 
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer
  • Thread Starter
#26  
And here is the long update!

I decided that although I might walk away, I did not want to walk away angry. So on Friday I went to talk with him. I explained how I remembered our first meeting where he told me $11K for the tractor and even showed him my notes where I wrote down the prices of three tractors he had showed me. I told him that his raising the price looked either like bad business or that he was taking advantage of me because I had invested in the inspection. I said my only two options are to walk away or to try to continue this discussion. Then I asked him, "what would you do in this situation?"

He immediately said, "I can't go any lower on that tractor." I expected this answer. I tried to get him back to answering my question. He could not/would not do it and kept trying to explain that he made a mistake about how much he had invested and he could not go any lower. I thought this "what would you do" tactic might work, but looking back I don't think he was the type of guy with whom this approach would be effective.

At one point he said, "I don't even remember giving you that number." That upset me because now he is questioning my integrity. I wrote the **** thing down! I said something to the effect of how we could maybe bridge the gap (he was still saying $14,500 for the tractor and chipper, which observant readers might note meant that even though he wanted $4K for the chipper he was now giving it to me for $3K). I suggested that he could fix the seat, which was ripped, or he could throw in a rake or plow he had around. He said $14,500 was as-is.

We got nowhere. So, I walked away.:mad::(

About an hour and a half later I was just leaving from having a drink with my wife and her friends, and he called. I sent the call to voicemail. The voicemail was essentially to call him, he could do a little better. Then the whole drive home I debated how long to wait to call. I decided to just call him and see what he had to say. He said he would split the "difference" and come down to $11,250 on the tractor. I said thanks and hung up.

When I got home I called my buddy (who recently bought a new BX2660) and we talked quite a bit about the situation. He had also done some research and was impressed by the price I was offered regardless of the unpleasantness of the transaction. He said that although he might walk away on principle, I would have to accept that I might not get a deal like this again. We also talked about how I was not relying on the guy's integrity much anyway as I got the third-party inspection. (This guy is a used tractor guy - it is not like I am ever dealing with him for service or anything else. I consider this the equivalent or a private party sale where even if something later goes wrong I am unlikely to go back to him.) All in all we tried to look at the deal objectively without considering the personal emotions involved.

In the end I chose to swallow my anger a bit and call him back. I told him that if he would deliver (about 40 miles) and fix the seat, I would pay $14,250 for the tractor and chipper. He tried to get out of the seat but I said, "c'mon, you can swap it off an older tractor you have around and it won't cost you a thing." He finally relented. (I should note also that I do believe he made a mistake in the offer in the first place and was not deliberately trying to screw me.)

The result is here:New [to me] B7800 and Salsco 824 - TractorByNet.com

The bottom line is that I will not look back on the actual transaction with any fondness (except that I did sort of walk away). But, I am satisfied with with the outcome and that is really what matters most to me. As may be evident from the other thread, I am quite pleased in that I think both the tractor and the chipper are going to be an outstanding fit for my needs. I look forward to using both for many years to come!
 
Last edited:
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #27  
I have to ask.............. was this dealer in the Kingston / Exeter area?
 
   / Need to vent - used tractor dealer #30  
A very rational resolution IMHO - I would have likely done the same. While I believe principle should be taken into account on any transaction, emotion should not. In your case, you got a good deal with an unprofessional, quirky seller. I don't think you compromised any principle there and, as you will not be reliant on him after the sale, there is nothing else to lose.

Good luck and enjoy your tractor!
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Ih 1066 Tractor (A50514)
Ih 1066 Tractor...
2000 PETERBILT 357 6X6 DAY CAB ROAD TRACTOR (A51406)
2000 PETERBILT 357...
2013 KENWORTH T370 DUMP TRUCK (A51406)
2013 KENWORTH T370...
2004 INTERNATIONAL 4300 BOX TRUCK (A51222)
2004 INTERNATIONAL...
2014 INTERNATIONAL MA025 26FT NON CDL BOX TRUCK (A51222)
2014 INTERNATIONAL...
2017 VOLVO VNM DAY CAB (A51222)
2017 VOLVO VNM DAY...
 
Top